Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Family refutes 'no foul play' claim with pictures of wounds

The
family of 42-year-old P Karuna Nithi - who was the latest to die in
police custody - yesterday released pictures of fresh wounds on his body
to dispute police claims there was no foul play involved.

Speaking on behalf of the family, former Kapar MP S Manikavasagam (left)
said the family discovered fresh swollen marks and bruises on Karuna's
body when they were allowed to see his body on Sunday. There was also
blood on his ears and head.

Manikavasagam was replying to
Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar, who had on Sunday said
initial investigations revealed Karuna was not tortured by police.

He
said the deceased's brother, Ilam, 48, said he had met Karuna on Friday
when he was charged with causing hurt at a Tampin magistrate's court
and that he did not have any bruises on his body.

"The initial
post-mortem report showed the wounds were relatively new. There was
fresh blood on certain parts of his body," he said.

"The report also showed there was no damage to internal organs or broken bones."

The
family has been told the full autopsy report will be ready on June 14.
He said immediate action should be taken against those responsible for
Karuna's death.

On May 28, Karuna visited his estranged wife regarding their two children and a scuffle took place following a heated argument.

The
same night, he went to the Tampin police headquarters to lodge a report
over the matter but was instead arrested and remanded for three days.

Family
members were trying to raise the RM4,000 bail when they were informed
by telephone at 9.45pm on Saturday that he had died at the lock-up at
7pm.

Ilam said his brother was well-educated and had no criminal
record, but was going through a minor family dispute at the time of his
death.

Negri Sembilan police chief Osman Salleh also said there
were no signs of foul play and police have classified the case as sudden
death.

In a text reply to The Malay Mail on Sunday, Khalid said it was just unfortunate that Karuna died in police lock up.

He gave an assurance that no stone would be left unturned to get to the bottom of the matter.